A new 90-minute fare, which will allow passengers to transfer between public transport services in Dublin for €2.30, came into operation on Sunday.
Passengers can use Dublin Bus, Luas and most Dart, commuter rail and Go-Ahead Ireland services in Dublin within 90 minutes of initial departure, without incurring extra charges.
The 90-minute fare will be €2.30 for adults and students when using their Leap card during a promotional period until the end of March, 2022. The price will then increase to €2.50.
A flat 80 cent Leap card fare for children has also been introduced. This represents a 20 per cent discount for children using the bus outside of school hours.
The fare will allow children to travel anywhere on Dublin city bus, Luas and commuter rail and Dart services within the short-hop zone, with a free transfer to any mode within 90 minutes of initial departure.
In addition a new short adult leap fare of €1.60 for single trips up to 3km has been introduced. Any journeys beyond this distance or involving transfers between services that take place within 90 minutes of the start, will be charged at the 90 minute fare.
A simplified fare structure is one of the key components of the BusConnects programme and would "incentivise" a return to public transport in the capital National Transport Authority chief executive Anne Graham said: "Today is a significant day as it marks the implementation of another key component of BusConnects programme in Dublin," she said.
“It provides an opportunity to create simplicity and consistency across the network regardless of the route or mode taken. It also means a significant saving for people who need to transfer between services.”
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said the fare would move more people out of their cars. "It is essential that we provide the incentives that make public transport a viable and attractive choice for employees, students, shoppers and visitors," he said.
“In moving more people from their car to public transport we can help to achieve Ireland’s carbon reduction targets as set out in the Programme for Government. This is another great step in making the city a more liveable and easily accessible environment.”
